- RENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 414 students
- NORTHRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 713 students
- CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 466 students
- KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 437 students
- BUTTERFIELD TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 557 students
- VAN BUREN HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 10–12 · 1232 students
- JAMES R. TATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 459 students
- PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 437 students
- VAN BUREN FRESHMAN ACADEMY — Grades 9–9 · 468 students
- RIVER VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY — Grades K–12 · 79 students
- OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 441 students
| Metric | Van Buren School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 2 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $9,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Supervisory Union | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Near average |
About Van Buren School District
Van Buren School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 72956 in Van Buren, Arkansas. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 72956. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Van Buren School District spends approximately $9,500 per student per year, placing it near the Arkansas state average of approximately $9,500 and significantly below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Districts with constrained budgets face challenges with class sizes, program breadth, and facility upkeep. Ask specifically about available services when enrolling. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 11 schools serving grades K–12, Van Buren School District qualifies as a large district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 5,911 students in total. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
With a rating of 8/10 (above average), Van Buren School District ranks among Arkansas’s above average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection. We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Arkansas is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Van Buren School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Arkansas. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 72956
Children in zip code 72956 are assigned to Van Buren School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 72956, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Van Buren School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Arkansas districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Van Buren
For families considering a purchase in the Van Buren area, district assignment matters financially. Because Van Buren School District serves zip code 72956, homes in and around zip code 72956 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Arkansas, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Van Buren School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 72956.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Van Buren School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 72956 data.